Things we love about the DAD's in OUR life...

We love that dad can bring back such beautiful pictures from golf courses...while mommy plays referee at home with the boys!


We always loved seeing Grampa Joyner! He was always so excited to see the kids! He esp couldn't wait to get his hands on the new born grand babies!!!

We LOVE Peepa's "corny jokes"!!

Marty has always been the best at getting our kids to sleep-esp when we're 'out & about' (and not near a crib!) I have always loved watching him with our kids, esp when they were infants! I appreciate his patience...something I don't have much of!


G'pa always talked so kindly to everyone. He had a tenderness and kindness about him that is not found in many people. He was also a supportive father with lots of wisdom.




Things we love about Papa: he loves stinky feet, each grandchild of his is an..." amazing child!", he's real good at pulling teeth ("let me see how wiggly that tooth is..") and money grows on his money tree in the back yard, so he always has money on him!!!


Dad makes us laugh...


...and we love our one-on-one time with him!

We love it when Peepa goes to sleep sitting up b/c he's like a pose able doll!...Look--here we dressed him up like grandpa Edwards...hat on the head, holding a cup full of something and sleeping with his head up! If we were to add sound affects it would be the loudest snore you can imagine!





Dad, Rissa loves you!



...Brant loves you!

...Jacob loves you!


...AND SO DOES MOM!!

Happy Fathers Day Marty, Peepa, Grandpa (we miss you) and Papa! We hope your day is filled with fun, love and family!

Where are all of these animals coming from?

We have an EWOK staying with us for a week or so! He's quite the cute, smuggly little thing, and he has NO PROBLEM standing up to Max! I haven't been able to get him photographed when he does this, but he will stand on his hind legs, put his front paws up on Max's shoulder and bark at him! The kids love it! Our friends, the Galloways are in NC right now so we're dog sitting. They have raised Peanut very well! He scratches on the backdoor when he needs out and he sleeps through the night...thanks Peanut for being such a good little EWOK! We love you!


Another critter that we find roaming around the house, looking for scraps is this little Rissa-coon! She's the cutest of them all and is definately a keeper!


With summer here, I have spotted many various creatures like this around the house! Jacob, in his spare time, has been busy with his clay, making all kinds of things!! This is his Alien Snail. He wanted me to put this one on here. Before too long I'll post several so that you can see his masterpieces!

Brant goes to 'Eye Doc'

Brant's appointment with the Eye Specialist was yesterday. All-in-all the results were good. I'm glad that we finally found a practice that knows how to work with kids! I think Brant was glad too! He got to watch a movie on the flat screen and play XBOX while he waited for his eyes to dilate!

His appntmt was at 8:00am so we left the house by 7:00am to allow for traffic b/c I didn't know what to expect. We got there half an hour early so we stopped at McD's to get Brant's favorite, a southern style chicken biscuit with cheese!!

Brant did great with the doc! He was really, really not wanting to have to get his eye's dilated, so I told him that "...if they have to dilate your eyes, I'll get you a MCFLurry", his fav dessert (-and yes, I realize that both of his "favs" are from the most fattening place in the universe, but, I DO limit his consumption of these items!! He doesn't get it too often!)-so all of the sudden he was hoping for, and then excited when they put the drops in his eyes!! Some times a little bribery is so worth it to us mom's!


Later in the afternoon, Allyson and I swam with the kids and then we made these homemade Twinkie's from Top Secret Recipes! They didn't taste exactly like a twinkie but boy were they yummy!!!

We're going to miss you, Bangarts!!

Brea, Lindsay and I went to eat at our favorite Mexican Restaraunt, Abuelos! Yum! I was so thankful that we all could go out b/c they are moving to Indiana this week for three years, for Keith to finish "Pediatry school". A few weeks ago there was a farewell party for them, but we missed it b/c we were in Utah with Marty's family, so I was so glad to get to smooch and love on (that stinkin cute!!!) little Hannah and see Lindsay b/f they left! Bangarts, you'll be MISSED!! We love ya and we'll see you when the group of us take that road trip to come visit!!

Rissa, me, Lindsey & Hannah @ Abuelos...ready to eat the Chili con Queso dip & Durango Burrito!

WHEN IS the waiter going to bring me my food?!...I hope he realizes that I'm taking a penny off of his tip, for every minute that I have to wait!


Say, "Chili con Queso!!" ...never mind, we already ate all of that! Just say, "CHEESE"!!

"Lindsay, you better give me a kissy or I'm gonna hit you over the head with my spoon!" Rissa loves getting kisses from Lindsey!



Hannah: "Do ya think they saw us? We're busted! They're gonna put us in the slammer, I just know it!"
Rissa: "No, no...they didn't see a thing, they're just taking pictures AGAIN!... act normal!...just prtend like you're pooping, they'll never suspect us!"

Brea, Hannah & Lindsay, Tiff & Rissa

I've been Tagged!

5 things on my list of things to do today:
1. Go to Stake Conference.
2 Take a nap.
3. Cook dinner at some point.
4. Family B.of M reading.
5. Go to bed before midnight.

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Extra crisp Gala apple!
2. Peanut butter chocolate chip granola bar.
3. Cherries!
4. Anything with chocolate in it!
5. Bowl of cereal.

5 things I would do if I suddenly became a billionaire:
1. Pay off all debt
2. Put a lot of money in savings & invest some
3. Buy Marty a new car and buy myself an extra car - Jeep Wrangler
4. Share some with family members
5. Take a trip to Argentina, Hawaii & Austrailia

5 places I've lived:
1. Columbia, SC (several different locations throughout my life)
2. Ephriam, Ut
3. Litchfield Park, AZ
4.
5.

5 jobs I've held:
1. McDonalds flipping burgers (only for two months)
2. Harbison Recreation Center (w/kids-after school & summer camp)
3. SC Student Loan Corp
4. La Petite
5. Last but not least a MOMMY

5 things people don't know about me:
1. I have struggled with my weight my whole life...oh, wait!...that's no secret-everyone knows that!
2. I am in love with Jack Sparrow!
3. For as long as I can remember, I've always had this desire to jump up as high as I can, stick my feet directly in front of me and land directly on my butt! Some of my girlfriends from SC wanted to help fulfill this dream, so at the "going away sleepover" that they gave me b/f we moved out here, they covered the living room floor with couch cushions. It didn't totally get rid of this desire, but it was quite fulfilling, it must say!
4. I am also in love with...EDWARD (Twighlight readers understand)!!
5. I tend to use a lot of hairspray b/c of my BALD SPOT! When I was in my mother's womb, I rubbed my head on her pelvic bone, causing a huge lump to form on the top of my head (the reason mom always put hats on me as an infant). When I was three years old, the man that lived next to my Nana (Dr. ? ) did plastic surgery to remove it, leaving a scar (bald spot) in it's place.
PS--Marty is fully aware of Jack & Edward and has come to terms with it! He knows that he's the #1 man in my life!!

I now TAG Jenny, Cara, Denise, Darla & Kathee

Nothing NEW to post, lots to be THANKFUL for!

1-I'M THANKFUL FOR...
...hairspray...

...and water...

...and Shampoo!


2-I'M THANKFUL FOR SIBLINGSMy brothers and Marty

Marty and his brothers and sisters


3-I'M THANKFUL FOR MY GRANDMOTHERS!
Marissa (can anybody say, "nap time"?), me, my dad and his mother, Ruth. I have always looked up to my grandma! She so willingly and lovingly took care of my grandpa for so many years while he was ill! When I think of grandma, I think of her soft, shy voice and expressions. I think of their famous spaghetti! I think of King Vitamin Cereal and cold, cold milk that she would make from milk powder (never fancied it too much, but we'd eat it so we wouldn't hurt her feelings!)! I remember summers when Sara, Julie and Jana would come to visit and all of us (girl cousins) would spend night after night at her house...and she tolerated us...welcomed us even! And last but not least, one of my favorites, I think of grandma's soft, soft arms!! My grandma has the softest arms and even to this day, when I take a trip home, I look forward to sitting by her and snuggling so I can just squish 'em!! She's always been a good example to me and I love and appreciate her so much!

Four generations on my mother's side! Me & Marissa, mom and Nana (Gloria). Nana is a little "fire cracker"! I love that she is now in her 80's and still traveling to China!! She's always had a taste for fashion and always looks great! She's known around the south for her sequence hat that she looks fabulous in and moon pies and TAB can always be found at her house! I also think of Zebra gum and the magical, amazingly animated stories that she would tell us when we were little, about the Fairies that lived in the woods across the street from her house! I am amazed at her spiritual strength and love for the Lord. I am truly blessed and thankful to have her as a grandmother!

4-I'm thankful for the Canines in my life!
I love our dog, Max! I'm so thankful that he's so patient with Rissa! She's always pulling his tail, ears and even goes for the gums every once in a while!!


"Scooter-Booter". I got Scooter when I was in the 9Th grade. I found him in a bush at the church, with his head in an opened milk carton! He was only a few weeks old when I brought him home! He passed away only a week after we got home from our Christmas visit to SC, Jan 2008. He was there for me through all of the 'high school drama' that takes place in a young girls life! He lived a "dog-on" long time and was a great friend!!!


5-I'M THANKFUL FOR MY HUSBAND!!

I'm thankful that he holds the Priesthood.
I'm thankful that Marty takes time to be involved. He has always felt it important to take one-on-one time with each of our kids.

I'm thankful that he tells me and our children he loves us on a daily basis!

Marty's Dad Passed Away

Marty's Dad passed away last Friday, May 23, 2008 at 4:10am. We left Friday to go to Utah and returned this Wednesday night. To make what could be a very long story, short, things didn't turn out quite like we all had planned! Put it this way, by Monday night, about a third of the family was unable to attend Dad's Viewing because of a 'throwing up' virus and then by Tuesday, maybe, oh, half of the family was unable to attend Dad's funeral. Making matters worse, Mom was one of those unable to attend! She was so bad off that she was admitted into the hospital, where she will be for a few more days. There were other things going on from the beginning, Myron stuck in Cincinnati for a day or two- trying to get home, a niece and nephew traveling to NY and witnessing a tornado (not sure which state they were in) right in front of them, Jacob car sick off and on for 4 hours on our drive up to Utah....there was lots of excitement all around!! We did, amongst all of this, have some fun with the family though! Sunday after church everyone headed out to Marty's cousin, Wally Joyner's, Ranch. That was tons of fun - four-wheeling, petting all of their animals (including their newborn cult) and watching their competition horses jump hurdles and all. As you can see, I'm not in any pictures b/c I'm at 'home' with a sick little Marissa who was throwing up at the time :). We had lots of laughs and fun and we also shared tears at our family meetings as we tried to detail the plans for Dad's funeral. I am so grateful for Marty's family! I love them and am so thankful that they have such a love for the Gospel! It really was so nice to all be together again...be it well or sick! Alot of memories as well as "Growth Moments" (as Marty and I call them) were made.
The most awesome thing about his funeral was the 21 Gun Salute! It was a beautiful service and We all felt so honored and proud of our Dad! Marty's oldest sibling, Janell, accepted the flag in Mom's behalf. As hard as it was to say "goodbye", it was a relief to see that he was no longer in pain! He was loved by many and will be truly missed! "Til we meet again, Dad, Til we meet again!" We'll Love you always!!(Marty's Dad Loved Alabama, so this weeks #1 song on my playlist is by them!)Oh and P>S>--Don't ask Jacob about his egg that he has in the picture!...after getting back to Janell's house, he was holding it, waiting for it to hatch, and he accidentally popped his thumb into it! He was so crushed and upset that he "killed his little baby chicken", that he later announced to the entire family that he had to leave tomorrow b/c he didn't take care of his egg! ...yeah, I think maybe we shouldn't bring that one back up.

Saturday, May 24, 2008
May 24th, Gpa Joyners Obituary

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Lilburn Clark Joyner


Lilburn Clark Joyner
Lilburn Clark Joyner, 72, died Friday, May 23, 2008, in Provo, Utah. He was born March 16, 1936, in Columbia, South Carolina, to Oliver Hickman & Lottie Alice Player Joyner. He married Janie Mae Branham December 9, 1954, in Columbia, South Carolina. They were sealed in the Mesa, Arizona Temple, September 1955.

Lilburn graduated high school in 1954 from Columbia High School in South Carolina. He enlisted in the Air Force right after high school and retired as a Master Sargent after serving 21 years in the Air Force. He worked for the U.S. Postal service and retired after 20 years.
Lilburn loved sports and is a huge BYU fan. He coached softball and took the church softball team from SC to the tournaments in SLC. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving as the Ward Clerk, served in the Young Men's organization and as Bishop.

He is survived by his wife, Janie, his children, Janell (Steve) Lowry, Orem, UT; Myron (Chere') Joyner, North Ogden, UT; Celesta (Dana) Virgin, Lehi, UT; Sterling (Jaki) Joyner, Connell, WA; Karen (Eric) Mizen, Chapin, SC; Marty (Tiffany) Joyner; Litchfield, AZ; brother, Jack F. (Margaret) Joyner, Watkinsville, GA; sister, Carolyn Freebairn, Salt Lake City, UT; 22 grandchildren and 4 1/2 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, O. Harold & Clifford Joyner and sister, Celeste A. Joyner.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Tuesday, May 27, 2008, at the American Fork 7th Ward Chapel, 700 West 500 North, American Fork, UT. Family and friends may visit Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem and Tuesday morning from 10:45-11:45 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be held in American Fork City Cemetery.

Princes & Princesses Party!

So last week I hosted a Prince/Princess Party at my house for 6 beautiful Princesses and 2 handsome Princes! All eight babies were born within about a 3 month period. It was so much fun! Here are a few picts. I had my friend, Amy, come over and take some professional pictures! She set her backdrop up in our front room and then also took picts out back of them eating their cakes! Can't wait to get those pict's!! I'll post those when I get them! I Love IT!!





We decided to head outside for cake when Prince Mack took a nose dive off the ottoman!




The six beautiful Princesses



Rissa & Hannah
Hannah: "Why do we have to wear these stiff, pokey dresses, anyway?"
Rissa: "Who the heck cares...just as long as they keep taking pictures of us...after all, we are Princesses, are we not?!"



Joe, Rowan, Marissa, Regan, Sara, Mack & Hannah (Bailey had to leave early)



Rowan turned Rissa's back into a Masterpiece!!



Regan: "So what exactly do we do with this stuff?"
Rissa: "Watch the pro, I'll show ya!"

The Museum Man

Jacob is super creative and one day a week or two ago, he decided to turn our house into a Museum!! Here are some pictures from our guided tour!


Jacob in his "work shirt" ready for business...opening day of the Museum!


This is the 'Please do not touch museum stuff' sign found at the front door






"an ancient Indian Tribe Ceremony Mask"



"the oldest star"


And last, but not least, "the ancient Lizard"

My Mother's Day Was Great Too!!

I just wanted to let ya'll know that I had a great Mother's Day too!! Everyone has posts about it but me, so I am going talk a little about my Mom's Day! Friday Marty & the kids delivered roses to me around lunch time. Then, Sunday morning started off with breakfast in bed. My breakfast consisted of a bagel w/cream cheese, OJ, banana, yogurt and a box of Whoppers (my all time fav)!! Of coarse, the kids hung around to 'snuggle' in bed after I ate, but I know that they were eyeing the Whoppers the entire time! Don't you just love how lovey-dovey and sweet your kids can be when there's something yummy that "mommy might share"! I love it!! So of coarse, we all shared Whoppers and snuggled while they each gave me the gifts they had gotten me (thanks guys!! They really did good this year!)
Church was amazing!! I really felt the Spirit and I swear that I cried probably three times in RS!! My friend Jenny had taken tons of pictures of all of us RS sisters and put them all on a CD with music (awesome job Jenny!!) and during the lesson we all watched it. I cried a couple of times during this video just b/c I have such a love and appreciation for everyone of the women that were in it! They are such wonderful friends! Friends that are outstanding mothers and wives, friends that at one time or another have helped carry some of my burdens, friends that have risen above trials and come out better and stronger for it! Friends that just make me happy! I get support and positive feedback from them and I just feel so thankful to have them in my life! I'm thankful that the Lord chose me to be a woman, wife and above all, a Mother! I have had a few Mother's Day's that were kinda crappy b/c of miscarriages and I look back and am so thankful for such a wonderful, loving husband! He and I have had our share of 'trials' and with each one we've grown closer. He is my best friend and I love him so much! I look at our children and I feel so blessed! Sometimes I feel so inadequate! I'm so proud of their accomplishments and growth! I'm thankful for a mother that taught me well and who continues to teach me. I have learned not to take motherhood for granted. It is such a blessing and gift and I'm thankful that Heavenly Father entrusted these beautiful children into our care.